By: Tanya Palta
When it comes to supercars, very few brands can generate the kind of reverence and respect that Lamborghini does. The Italian brand has given the world some of the most exotic and exceptional machines and many call affectionately call them Italian thoroughbreds. As a company, Lamborghini has found a permanent place in the annals of automobile history and is a force to reckon it. Founded by self-made Italian millionaire Ferruccio Lamborghini in 1963, who was a car enthusiast and had a full-fledged tractor business before he decided to dabble in high performing automobiles.
While tracing back the history of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A aka Lamborghini, many will be surprised by the role played by long-standing rival Ferrari. The Lamborghini story is legendary since according to auto lore, Ferruccio was disgruntled by his Ferrari’s clutch and on complaining about the same, was dismissed unceremoniously by entrepreneur Enzo Ferrari. This set the wheels in motion, as Ferruccio Lamborghini swore to tackle the problem on his own and chose to build his own supercar. It was clear that Ferruccio Lamborghini wasn’t intimidated by Marques like Ferrari and now the rivalry between the two Italian giants is well documented in automobile folklore.
The mid-sixties saw a plethora of sports models that were powered by a V12 engine. One of the most notable models by Lamborghini was the now iconic “350 GTV”, which met with resounding success and soon was followed by 400 GT and then the 400 GT 2+2. However, it was the Lamborghini Miura in the year 1965 that stunned the automobile world and made the competition get up and take notice. The Miura was heralded by car enthusiasts as truly revolutionary and ahead of its times. After the Miura, Lamborghini one again grabbed eyeballs with the LP400 Countach, which was first unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show. This was this first car to have the now iconic Lamborghini signature swing up doors. With technology advanced models and impeccable engineering, Lamborghini was now giving Ferrari a run for its money.
After enjoying unparalleled success in the sixties, the company was faced with a number of problems in the late seventies. In 1978 the company declared bankruptcy and changed ownership twice before it was acquired by Audi AG in 1998. Under the leadership of Audi, Lamborghini entered its golden period with sales increasing nearly tenfold over the course of the 2000s. Till date, the cars are assembled in the Ferruccio ‘s ancestral home Sant’Agata Bolognese and around 3000 are rolled out annually. The latest model by the supercar manufacturer is the Lamborghini Aventador, which is a successor to the legendary V12-powered Murciélago.
With superior V10 – V12 engines, impeccable carbon fiber construction and futuristic styling, Lamborghini is one of the world’s most prestigious automotive brand. With an insignia that depicts a “ Raging Bull”, the brand stresses on unadulterated power and speed and exudes both elegance and excellence.
